Children’s Commissioners report highlights the number of babies living in households carrying very high risks

Children’s Commissioners report highlights the number of babies living in households carrying very high risks

The Children’s Commissioner for England, has published a report indicating that there are 15,800 babies under the age of 1 considered by local authorities to be vulnerable or highly vulnerable and at risk of harm, but still living at home.

Whilst the report, named ‘A Crying Shame’, considers data from March 2017 the situation is not thought to have improved since, Equating to around 100 babies per local authority these children are shown to appear disproportionately in Serious Case Reviews.

Alice Miles, the Children’s Commissioner’s Director of Strategy and author of the report, said: “This analysis suggests there are many thousands of babies living in households carrying very high risks, many of whom may not even be known to social services. We know infants are especially vulnerable to being harmed by parental abuse or neglect. With local authorities under such pressure financially, and troubled families funding coming to an end in 2020, it’s vital that ministers make the protection of vulnerable children a priority in policy and funding."